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sizing chart

Expedition GWS Bootie

Base camp can be a good time, or it can be completely miserable. Western Mountaineering's Expedition Down Booties make all the difference in the world when you're at camp and the temperature drops. WindStopper fabric protects your feet and ankles from Mother Nature's wrath, while 800-fill goose down coddles you in soft, fluffy warmth while you wait for the storm to clear before that final push to the summit.

Tech Specs

What do you think about this product?

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>Rating: 5

November 8, 2019

Size-Specific Review: Go with WM's size!

Familiarity:

I returned this product before using it

Fit:

True to size

Size Bought

Medium

Height

5` 10"

Weight

160 lbs

This review is about size only, not outdoor performance. Upon reading all other reviews here, I made the decision to purchase the 'Medium' size, rather than the 'Large', due to other reviews of these "fitting slightly large". I found that advice to be misguided.
My shoe and boot size is typically a very true US Men's 9-9.5. Per other reviews, this would fit the medium size well. Per Western Mountaineering's (WM) sizing, the Large is the correct size.
Getting these on my feet, I found that the reviews would be correct for a house slipper, but that the heel-to-toe length put my heel at very back of the bootie and toe within 1/2 inch of the toe of the bootie -- thereby compressing the insulation, front and rear. For these to work best, the insulation needs to have air space and not be compressed.
For outdoor use at higher elevations and in winter, I am returning the mediums and going with WM's sizing guideline and getting larges. Reason being: Compressed insulation is ineffective insulation. For a men's 9, for outdoor use (not huts and other warmed areas), I think WM's sizing is spot-on for keeping loft in the insulation all around the foot and lower leg.

Peter G.

>Rating: 5

April 5, 2019

Tested under extreme conditions

Familiarity:

I gave it as a gift but have feedback to share

Fit:

Runs large

Size Bought

Small

Height

5` 9"

Weight

160 lbs

I bought these for a friend headed out on a multi-day expedition in Colorado. To quote him; "They saved my feet in the harshest conditions. They are great just lounging around camp after long days in boots or sitting in the base tent waiting for a blizzard to subside." Also before I gave them to him, I couldn't help but notice how incredibly lightweight and packable they are! You'd hardly notice they were in you pack, so if you think you might need them, bring them.

Glynis Jehle

>Rating: 5

March 29, 2018

Game Changer

Familiarity:

I've used it once or twice and have initial impressions

Fit:

True to size

Size Bought

Large

Height

5` 10"

Weight

195 lbs

I normally have very cold feet. My options for winter trips have been to keep moving pretty hard or to be in my sleeping bag, until now. Went on a snowshoe trip last week with temps in the mid teens. I got to camp and set up my shelter, my feet were starting to ice up. I slipped on these mukluks and in 10 minutes my feet were toasty warm. They stayed toasty warm until I went to bed. Best part, they shedded snow well enough that I was able to stick them right into my sleeping bag, so warm all night. I wouldn’t mind if they had a little insulation up the calf area. Would only add an ounce or two and I know I’d appreciate the extra warmth. Little sloppy walking around camp but not bad at all, plus I don’t want much structure to the booties to feel uncomfortable as I sleep

Scott D.

Leta Kalfas

April 17, 2018

Thanks for the great review, Scott!
Leta
Western Mountaineering Rep

>Rating: 5

March 14, 2017

Warm and Dry

Familiarity:

I've used it several times

Fit:

Runs large

Size Bought

medium

Recently bought and used these for a trip to the Mountains of Colorado. Temps never got above 11 degrees even in midday. Put these on right after getting into camp. So nice and toasty warm. They have a very secure fit and don't feel sloppy on the foot. They do, as noted, run quite large. I'm a 9.5 and the mediums were plenty roomy even with thick wool socks. The secure fit did come at a small price though... Nothing bad or game changing, but it did take some getting used to putting them on. Internally, around the ankle, there is an elastic band that helps with stability. This seems to want to "catch" when putting them on. Just an extra 2 seconds, but noticeable. That is being VERY nitpicky for such a great down bootie. Stayed dry, and due to the high coverage, even when i stepped in deep snow, nothing got into the bootie! Since that trip back in February, i've used it several more times on cold days to grill on the deck or even lounge around a cold house. Pricey, but totally worth it. Thanks!

Myles B.

Leta Kalfas

March 19, 2017

Myles, Thank you for the great review! Enjoy!
Leta
Western Mountaineering Rep

>Rating: 4

May 18, 2016

Quality, warmth, but the fit?

Familiarity:

I've used it once or twice and have initial impressions

Fit:

Runs large

Size Bought

Large

I didn't try these out in the cold, but my first impressions were good. The quality is definitely there and the warmth is pretty amazing. Just trying them on inside the house had to be quick since they were like little incubators on my feet!
I wear a solid 10 in running shoes, dress shoes, boots, you name it. But these Large booties were a little long, very wide and overall sloppy. Too sloppy for even wearing around camp with little walking.
I'm going to try a Medium which is way too small according to the chart (7-8.5) but maybe I'll get lucky.
Thank you Backcountry for the fast shipping and taking the headache out of exchanges/returns!

HikingMark

Kyle Livingston

May 18, 2016

Thanks for the review Mark. Let us know how the Mediums work out since these do run a touch large depending on where in the spectrum you land.

HikingMark

May 23, 2016

I received the Mediums. Much better! Even though the sizing says 7-8.5, the Medium boots fit my size 10 feet perfect. Measuring my bare feet I get about 10.25" long in case anyone is wondering. I have a little room after the toes even with thick wool socks. Width is still very generous.
I have absolutely no worries about these keeping my feet warm come winter.

>Rating: 5

April 4, 2016

Warm

Very warm camp bootie

Scott Hemming

>Rating: 5

April 27, 2014

Happy feet

Familiarity:

I've used it several times

Fit:

True to size

Just spent a couple weeks trekking in the Himalayas - these boots were well worth it. I wear size 43 and bought a large. There's plenty of room - almost too much. My wife's mediums fit well, but I like the extra room. I have about 1.5" to slide back and forth on the footbed.
The windstopper fabric up to the knees kept my ankles toasty. The soles are awesome, tough but not heavy. Good for walking around camp. I didn't have any rain or snow to deal with, but paired with a set of Neos overboots, these would be an all-weather bivy solution.

NorthernHappenings

>Rating: 5

November 30, 2013

Nothing better

Familiarity:

I've used it several times

Fit:

True to size

there is nothing better than getting to the car and taking off cold ski or ice climbing boots and putting these on. My feet start to warm up instantly! and they are so comfy!! I just got back from the wind rivers doing some alpine mixed climbing and these things were awesome around camp at night and to sleep in. one thing that makes them so great to have is when you have to pee in the middle of the night you don't have to pull on your cold frozen boots. the soles are waterproof insulating and durable. had no problems with traction in the snow and no slipping on the rocky hillside we were camped on.
these may be one of the best things i have bought and they will always go with me during the winter

Matt Park

>Rating:

November 27, 2018

Would these work to accomodate a ski boot liner? I've used a system before for backcountry skiing that allowed you to wear your ski boot liners under a protective shell giving you stability to the floppy boots and working to dry your liners as well. Looking for something similar. Thanks.

Jared G.

Leta Kalfas

January 2, 2019

hmmmm - they were not designed to do so, but doesn't mean that they wouldnt fit.
Thanks for the question -
Leta
Western Mountaineering Rep

>Rating:

November 19, 2017

How well do these work on a open loading dock

randy

Chris Zollinger

January 5, 2019

They don't have much of an outsole at all, so I would mostly just use these indoors. They won't hold up long to much work outside, since the bottom is basically fabric.

>Rating:

March 1, 2015

Do these booties have a removable outer shell like the "feathered friends booties", or are they a one-piece unit?

afshin

Justin Baker

November 8, 2015

They are one piece.

>Rating:

November 24, 2014

I was wondering bc i have a orthotic full footbed ankle hinges and goes up to knee. im a girl but because of these i have only been able to get into a 10 wide mens merrell just above ankle so i have something to walk in right now and they are waterproof but aren't gonna make it with NH winter etc. taking out the insoles i'm trying to find something i can get into, waterproof with a sole, problem is getting my feet into them
, any suggestions would be great. i thought these GSW would work ?

CALI

Travis Tzioumis

November 25, 2014

These booties are made to be worn at camp, in your tent. They were designed to let you take your heavy mountaineering boots off for a while but still keep you warm. They are great for inside the house, but I wouldn't wear them around outside on the street.
It seems like they would have enough room if you are looking for a bootie to wear around the house.

>Rating:

April 19, 2014

The Western Mountaineering sizing chart...

The Western Mountaineering sizing chart is confusing. What is equivalent of US Men vs. Women sizing in booties? say I'm US Women size 7, which is Small. Does it fall under Men's XS?

Gingerela

Grant Kates

April 20, 2014

Hey Gingerela,
Thanks for your question.
For a US women size 7 I would suggest a size Small in the Western Mountaineering Expedition GWS Bootie - Men's. Not an XS size.
I hope this helps.

>Rating:

May 17, 2013

How much do these weigh?

How much do these weigh?

Mani Arabi

Matt Park

October 11, 2013

Hi Mani
these are roughly 8 ounces per pair so 4 ounces each

>Rating:

December 4, 2012

are these snow proof? I.e., are they...

are these snow proof? I.e., are they waterproof enough to wear around camp in the snow?

cj.p216174

Matt Park

October 11, 2013

the bottoms are totally waterproof, the upper is water resistant

>Rating:

August 29, 2010

Does anyone know how durable the soles and...

Does anyone know how durable the soles and materials are? What about water resistance?

Adam Watts

Matt Park

October 11, 2013

Hi adam,
the sole is water proof and made of toughtek.
I can't speak personally about the durability but I guess they are going to be pretty durable, but I would limit my time outside in them and keep them for wearing in the tent/hut etc.